Minimalism started attracting me back in my early 20’s. There’s something eye-catching about a room with a lot of space – you seem to notice the individual items more and it feels less “heavy”. It’s sort like when someone wears all black – even though the look is monochromatic, it stands out because it’s grounded and classic. Back then it was more the look and feel of having a minimalist home that appealed to me. Since I ventured out on my own, I’ve adopted a minimalist mindset – before it became trendy. It’s more than an aesthetic – it’s a lifestyle.

I noticed minimalism started to become a trend a few years ago (Though the concept has been around for a very long time) and I thought it was cool that more people were seeing the benefit of having less. This type of mindset appeals to people of certain personalities and dispositions more than others, though anyone can benefit from it. I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all criteria when it comes to being minimalist – some people simply need more things than others for practical reasons. What matters most is learning to be happy with what you already have – and making more space in your home/life by clearing out the things that weigh you down or take up too much space.

I’m going to share why a minimalistic lifestyle can be beneficial (and why I love living this way).

Less Is More – This is a popular saying and it really applies here. By owning less things, you can learn to enjoy more of what you already have. When you care less about possessions and status symbols, you tend to focus more on the simpler things in life – experiences, natural beauty, walks, genuine connections with people, reading, creating, etc.

You Feel Lighter – Clutter can weigh us down mentally and emotionally (and it’s not nice to look at). It’s a lot easier to organize your home when you have less things. It’s amazing how much better you feel when your home is nicely organized.

You Focus On What Really Matters – Having a minimalistic living area gives you more space to think, create, feel, focus on building connections, and having great experiences everyday. I’ve found that I feel less stressed living this way. I also apply minimalism to friends – rather than having 10+ friendships to maintain, I keep my circle small so I can focus on the people who truly make me happy and don’t drain my energy (I’ve been this way socially my entire life).

It’s Eco Friendly – There’s no denying how much waste consumer societies produce. If you buy less, you’re making less garbage.

It Saves Money – Minimalism is a great thing regardless of your income. Being happy with less is helpful if you’re wanting to save money or pay off debt, but even if you’re wealthy it’s also about the emotional aspect of not needing more to be happy. You can put your money into more meaningful things.

It Coincides With Slow Living – Slow living is another trend a lot of people are adopting. It’s not about doing things slower – it’s a lifestyle that rejects the hustle culture of modern day living. Slow living encourages people to take time to enjoy the everyday – and focus on experiences/fulfillment more than outward achievements. I’ve been doing the slow living thing for the last few years as a way to maintain good mental health and it goes well with the minimalist mindset. Slow living means different things to different people, but it essentially helps with mindfulness and creating a life that’s more peaceful for you.

It Deters People Who Are Only Focused On Possessions – One thing I’ve noticed with being a minimalist is that it naturally deters the people who are focused on material things and being “successful”. It’s not that minimalists aren’t successful or can’t be successful – it’s that they aren’t parading it around or pursuing it as the ultimate goal. If you value connection and experiences over open displays of wealth and success, you will drive most superficial people away. If they haven’t turned you off by their obsession with getting rich and buying the next big thing, your preference for the simpler things in life will surely aggravate them so they won’t stay in your life. And that’s what you want in the end – people who are on the same page as you. (It’s good to be goal driven and have certain financial goals – I’m certainly goal oriented – but minimalism keeps you grounded so you’re not chasing money just for the sake of it).

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I hope you enjoyed this post today. ❤ This is based on my own experience for what has worked in my life. Minimalism may not work for certain people and that’s totally okay. I completely agree with the phrase “Live and let live.” Do what makes you happy as long as you’re not belittling others for doing what makes them happy. 🙂

Until next time, take care and have a great day!